Exhaust device for internal combustion engines

ABSTRACT

A combination of exhaust gas washer and fluid cooler and magnetic muffler comprising a compartmented washer connected to the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, a system of check valves, a circulating pump and radiator for cooling the washing liquid. The gases from the washer are passed through a magnetic muffler prior to release to the atmosphere.

United States Patent Mercer Apr. 8, 1975 [54] EXHAUST DEVICE FOR INTERNAL 3.485.0[ 12/1969 Vecchio 60/3l0 COMBUSTION ENGINES 3,618,314 ll/l97l Krebs 5 r r i 60/275 3.729900 5/1973 Dcnning i 60/3I0 [76] Inventor: Joe F. Mercer. 302 Wallace St. 3 7 ,2 10 1973 tkebc v H 5 3 Gonzales. Tex. 7862) 3.786.635 l/l974 Kates H 60/310 [22] Filed 1973 Prt'mur E.\'ummer-Douglas Hart H PP 387,468 Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Willard J. Hodges, Jr

52 us. Cl. 60/275; 55/100; 55/256; i571 ABSTRACT /310 A combination of exhaust gas washer and fluid cooler [51] Int. Cl F0ln 3/04; B03c 1/02 and magnetic muffler comprising a compartmented [58] Field of Search 60/275, 310, 3] l; washer connected to the exhaust system of an internal SS/DIG. 30, 223, 244, 256. 89, combustion engine, a system of check valves, a circulating pump and radiator for cooling the washing liq- [56] References Cited uid. The gases from the washer are passed through a UNITED STATES PATENTS l l/l966 Wertheimer .0 60/3 l0 magnetic muffler prior to release to the atmosphere.

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures EXHAUST DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This invention is related to and is an improvement to the inventor's prior application, Ser. No. 846,739, Aug. 1, 1969. now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention.

This invention pertains to a device for cleaning exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. The washer employs water mixed with a detergent and a circulating pump. a cooling radiator. and a magnetic muffler.

2. Description of Prior Art.

Washing and scrubbing towers for gases are old in the art. Various filters and exhaust cleaning devices for cleaning exhaust gases have been previously invented. Some are patented. such Forry, US. Pat. No. 2.911589, and the French patent to Bregeal, No. 607.670. filed Mar. 2l, I925. Current developments in an effort to reduce the free carbon particles, hydrocarbons. carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxides have employed various modified fueling systems in an effort to improve emission control. Current emphasis in exhaust systems appears to be stressing catalytic mufflers and regenerative systems to completely oxidize the exhaust gases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention was arrived at by selective experimentation with various combinations and appears to have resulted in a device which satisfactorily controls the exhaust emissions. It is well known that a washer will tend to clean gases. The washer combined with the magnetic muffler powered by the IE volt battery has in experimental tests indicated improved emission control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a composite schematic illustrating a motor vehicle employing the device ofthis invention illustrating a preferred arrangement of the various components.

FIG. 2 is a seetionalized side elevation of the exhaust gas washer.

FIG. 3 is a top sectionalized view looking into various compartments of the washer.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart for gases and washing liquids.

FIG. 5 is a sectionalized view ofthe magnetic muffler illustrated partially in schematic.

FIG. 6 is a sectionalized view of first compartment of the washer taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is a sectionalized view of second compartment of the washer taken substantially on line 77 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a sectionalized view of the third compart' ment taken substantially on line 8-8 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

For a description of the construction and operation of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the attached several views wherein identical reference characters are utilized to refer to identical or equivalent components throughout the several views and the following detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For a description of the construction and arrangement ofthe preferred embodiment, reference is particularly made to FIG. I which illustrates various components mounted on a motor vehicle and a possible arrangement for construction of the device. The device of this invention is primarily intended for mounting on a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is powered by an internal combustion engine 11 having an exhaust system 12. The exhaust gases are conducted through the exhaust system I2 into a washer 13 which from outward ap pearance comprises an enclosed. box-like structure constructed of a welded sheet metal. For a detailed description of the construction of the washer l3, reference is particularly made to FIGSv 2-3 and FIGS. 68. The washer 13 is constructed with a series of compartments which were formed by welding partition walls 51 in washer 13. The exhaust system 12 of the internal combustion engine 11 leads into the first compartment 14, in turn flows through second compartment I5. third compartment 16, then into a series of collecting and surge tanks characterized as a fourth compartment I7, a fifth compartment 18. sixth compartment 19. Exhaust gases pass from the sixth compartment I9 through magnetic muffler 20.

The preferred embodiment is intended for utilization in combination with internal combustion engine 11 having an exhaust manifold 23. Exhaust manifold 23 feeds into a collector pipe 24 leading through the exhaust inlet 21 into first compartment 14 of the washer 13. After the exhaust gases pass through the washer. they move out of the sixth compartment 19 through exhaust outlet 25 through the magnetic muffler 20 and are then exhausted through tail pipe 26. The first three compartments of washer l3 employ a series of immersion tubes 27 for bubbling the exhaust gases through the water detergent mixture 22 contained in Washer 13. In the preferred embodiment. the water was mixed with a phosphate detergent readily available at grocery stores and supermarkets. The detergent mixture in the water prevents rust forming in the system. The solution is believed to contribute to the removal of some of the free carbon particles. carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide from the exhaust gases. The process of washing and cooling the exhaust gases employs various immersion tubes 27. The tubes 27 are substantially L shaped construction and comprise first immersion tube 28 leading in through the top 34 of Washer 13 and ex tends toward the bottom 35 of the first compartment I4. A second immersion tube 29 leads from the first compartment 14 down into second compartment 15. In similar fashion, a third immersion tube 30 interconnects the second compartment and the third compartment. These arrangements ofimmersion tubes 27 bubbles the gas through the water detergent mixture 22 cooling and washing the gases. The latter three compartments of washer 13 comprise the fourth I7, fifth I8 and sixth l9 compartments which function primarily as collector or surge tanks. These various compartments are interconnected by passages. Constructed near the top 34 of washer I3 are passageways through the vari ous partitions permitting the flow of gas and liquid. These passages are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 as the third tank passage 31 interconnecting third compart ment and the fourth compartment. The fourth tank passage 32 interconnecting the fourth and fifth compartments and the fifth tank passage 33 interconnecting the fifth and sixth compartments. In the preferred embodiment, these tank passages were staggered as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

As previously generally stated, the washer 13 is a box'like structure constructed of welded sheet metal comprising a washer top 34, a bottom 35, a first end wall 36 and a second end wall 37. To enclose the structure a first side wall 38 and a second side wall 39 are employed to complete the box-like washer 13. The washer system is preferably filled with the water detergent mixture to the indicated water detergent line 40. Suitable filling and drain plugs may be provided (not illustrated) for refilling and changing the mixture. Periodic changes may be desirable after the water detergent mixture is contaminated with exhaust emissions. The heated exhaust emissions in passing from the engine 11 through collector pipe 24 tend to heat the water detergent mixture 22; accordingly, it is necessary to employ a radiator 41 for cooling. Radiator 41 is interconnected to the washer 13 by washer inlet pipe 42 through inlet check valve 43. Various arrangements could be employed for circulating and cooling the water detergent mixture 22 in the system; however, in the preferred embodiment, a combination of two outlets from the washer 13 were employed for returning the liquid to radiator 41. The first washer outlet 44 from the fifth compartment 18 led to washer pump 46. This first outlet 44 receives fluid through fifth outlet check valve 45. A second washer outlet 47 from the sixth compartment 19 in a comparable manner utilizes a sixth compartment check valve 48. In the particular arrangement employed in the preferred embodiment, washer outlet 44 and washer outlet 47 were interconnected adjacent washer pump 46 in such a manner as to employ an outlet suction jet 49. The general arrangement of this structure is quite conventional in that a jet with a reduced orifice leading from washer pump 46 projects into the washer to radiator conduit 50. This arrangement creates a suction effect on washer outlet 47 of the sixth compartment 19. The washer to radiator conduit 50 leads into radiator 41. This enclosed circuit could perhaps be utilized in the engine cooling radiator 53; however, in the preferred embodiment, a separate engine cooling radiator 53 was employed for cooling the internal combustion engine 11. This cooling system employed a conventional water pump 54 and a top radiator hose 55 and a bottom radiator hose 56. The positioning of pump 46 and jet 49 can be varied. Ari electric pump 46 may be positioned adjacent washer 13 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 or an arrangement of FIG. 4 may be employed with pump 46 and jet 49 positioned adjacent and driven by engine 11.

The exhaust gases from the sixth compartment 19 of washer 13 move through the exhaust pipe 25 into mag netic muffler 20. For a description of the construction of the muffler of the preferred embodiment. reference is particularly made to FIG. 5. The magnetic muffler 20 employs an outer case 60 of sheet metal of somewhat conventional construction. Muffler employed a series of spacers 61 which were constructed of coils of wire mesh frequently referred to as hardware cloth". These spacers 61 were separated by plastic insulators 62 insulating the various magnetic coils. [n the preferred embodiment. the muffler 20 employed a series of magnetic coils of the type employed in the magnetic clutches of automotive air conditioner compressors. The coils are designated as first coil 63, second coil 64, and third coil 65. These coils were interconnected by a wiring harness 66 to the l2 volt battery 59 of the vehicle. The wiring harness 66 comprises a battery connector 67 leading to first coil 63. The coils were interconnected in series by a first-second interconnect 68 and second-third interconnect 69; to complete the circuit a battery return 70 is employed. The battery return could be a separate wiring system or the chassis of the vehicle could be employed for the return circuit 70.

Various methods of construction might be employed. As heretofore stated, the washer 13 was constructed of welded sheet metal. In the preferred embodiment, immersion tubes 27 were constructed of sections of twoinch pipe welded or threadably secured. The configuration is substantially illustrated in the drawings. The lower end of the first, second and third immersion tubes 28, 29 and 30 were enclosed at their bottom ends by immersion tube caps 71 with the lower legs 72 of the immersion tubes being constructed with a series of apertures 73 which bubble the exhaust gases through the water detergent mixture 22.

OPERATION OF THE DEVICE The operation of this invention has been illustrated in one concept for use in combination with an internal combustion engine for controlling emission from the vehicle. The collected exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine 11 are interconnected to washer 13. The gases pass through the various compartments of the washer. The gases are forced through the various immersion tubes 27 and pass out through the immersion tube orifices 73 and bubble up through the water detergent mixture 22. This process cools, washes and removes some of the undesirable exhaust components. Passing ofthese cooled, washed gases through the magnetic muffler appears to further reduce the amount of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide emissions released by tail pipe 26. This inventor will not endeavor to explain how the overall combination accomplishes the desired result; however, tests conducted on his vehicle by a reputable automotive mechanic on acceptable test equipment indicate the exhaust emissions to be within acceptable levels.

Certain modifications and improvements on a device may be apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the attached drawings and the foregoing detailed description. What is desired to be claimed is all combinations or modifications of this device encompassing equivalents of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An exhaust control system comprising:

a. an internal combustion engine having an exhaust port,

b. an exhaust manifold means connected to the exhaust port of said internal combustion engine, said exhaust manifold interconnecting and conducting exhaust gases from said engine to,

c. an exhaust gas washer connected to said exhaust manifold, said exhaust gas washer including:

1. an exhaust gas inlet adjacent a first end of said washer adapted to receive exhaust gases from said internal combustion engine, and injects gases into a first compartment of said washer,

2. an exhaust outlet adjacent a second end of said washer adapted to release exhaust gases from said exhaust gas washer,

d. a washing fluid contained in said exhaust gas washer, 5

e. a radiator adjacent said internal combustion engine,

f. a fluid conduit means conductively interconnecting the said radiator and the said exhaust gas washer, and

g. a fluid circulating means positioned in said fluid conduit means in such an arrangement as to circulate said washing fluid through said washer and said radiator, said fluid circulating means comprising:

1. a fluid inlet means leading through a check valve from said fluid circulating means into said first compartment,

2. a fluid outlet means leading through a check valve from a compartment adjacent the exhaust outlet, said fluid outlet leading to said radiator,

h. an outlet check valve receiving fluid from the compartment to which is connected the exhaust outlet,

i. a washer pump propelling fluid from the compartment adjacent the exhaust outlet through,

j. an outlet suction jet discharging into the, k. washer radiator conduit, the point of discharge into said conduit being adjacent the said outlet check valve, and

l. a magnetic muffler secured to said exhaust outlet gine comprising:

a. an exhaust gas washer having an inlet end and an exhaust end,

b. a magnetic muffler operably attached to the exhaust end of said exhaust gas washer receiving the washed gases and passing gases to a tail pipe, said magnetic muffler further comprising:

1. cylindrical outer case,

2. a series of electro-magnetic coils mounted in said case,

3. spacers retaining said coils in a uniform spaced relationship,

4. a multiplicity of insulator means insulating said coils from adjacent conductive structure,

5. conduit means interconnecting said coils, in series 6. an electric potential means for powering said coils,

7. an exhaust outlet leading into a first end of said electro-magnetic muffler,

8. a tail pipe leading from the second end of said electromagnetic muffler, and

9. a substantially straight continuous space proje cting through the center of said electro-magnetic muffler surrounded by said spacers, insulators,

and the multiplicity of electro-magnetic coils. 

1. An exhaust control system comprising: a. an internal combustion engine having an exhaust port, b. an exhaust manifold means connected to the exhaust port of said internal combustion engine, said exhaust manifold interconnecting and conducting exhaust gases from said engine to, c. an exhaust gas washer connected to said exhaust manifold, said exhaust gas washer including:
 1. an exhaust gas inlet adjacent a first end of said washer adapted to receive exhaust gases from said internal combustion engine, and injects gases into a first compartment of said washer,
 2. an exhaust outlet adjacent a second end of said washer adapted to release exhaust gases from said exhaust gas washer, d. a washing fluid contained in said exhaust gas washer, e. a radiator adjacent said internal combustion engine, f. a fluid conduit means conductively interconnecting the said radiator and the said exhaust gas washer, and g. a fluid circulating means positioned in said fluid conduit means in such an arrangement as to circulate said washing fluid through said washer and said radiator, said fluid circulating means comprising:
 1. a fluid inlet means leading through a check valve from said fluid circulating means into said first compartment,
 2. a fluid outlet means leading through a check valve from a compartment adjacent the exhaust outlet, said fluid outlet leading to said radiator, h. an outlet check valve receiving fluid from the compartment to which is connected the exhaust outlet, i. a washer pump propelling fluid from the compartment adjacent the exhaust outlet through, j. an outlet suction jet discharging into the, k. washer radiator conduit, the point of discharge into said conduit being adjacent the said outlet check valve, and l. a magnetic muffler secured to said exhaust outlet receiving and further cleaning the exhaust gases.
 1. cylindrical outer case,
 2. a series of electro-magnetic coils mounted in said case,
 3. spacers retaining said coils in a uniform spaced relationship,
 4. a multiplicity of insulator means insulating said coils from adjacent conductive structure,
 5. conduit means interconnecting said coils, in series
 6. an electric potential means for powering said coils,
 7. an exhaust outlet leading into a first end of said electro-magnetic muffler,
 2. An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine comprising: a. an exhaust gas washer having an inlet end and an exhaust end, b. a magnetic muffler operably attached to the exhaust end of said exhaust gas washer receiving the washed gases and passing gases to a tail pipe, said magnetic muffler further comprising:
 8. a tail pipe leading from the second end of said electromagnetic muffler, and
 9. a substantially straight continuous space projecting through the center of said electro-magnetic muffler surrounded by said spacers, insulators, and the multiplicity of electro-magnetic coils. 